Birmingham mayor anti-crime rally brings out about 2,500 black men

An estimated 2,500 black men from across metro Birmingham gathered in Fair Park Arena tonight in response to Mayor Larry Langford's call for them to take a stand against black-on-black crime.

In a two-hour session that seemed like a rousing church rally, the diverse crowd of young and old black men -- including some fathers accompanied by their young sons -- cheered as speaker after speaker urged them to stand up and take back their communities plagued by violent crime.

Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper told the crowd that 10 of the 11 homicide victims killed in Birmingham this year were black.

"God gave me a mandate to keep our city safe," said Roper, a minister. "But I need your help. I'm looking for some men willing to stand up and make a difference in their communities."

Langford modeled his "Plan 10/30: Why am I dying? Do You Care" program after similar grassroots efforts that has been successful in reducing crime in Philadelphia. As the rally kicked off, he had men file one by one and look into a coffin that had a mirror in it.

"The man you are looking at could be our next homicide victim in Birmingham unless we take a stand," Langford said.

Langford said Friday night's meeting was for black men only for a reason -- most black-on-black crime involves men. He challenged the men in attendance to speak out against thugs in the community and reclaim Birmingham's streets.